1926 Census
One of the most anticipated events of 2026 is the release of Ireland's 1926 census by the National Archives of Ireland on 18 April.
The census was taken exactly 100 years earlier, on that same date. It covers the 26 counties of the Irish Free State and records details of more than 2.9 million individuals living in over 630,000 households. It is organised by townland, District Electoral Division (or ward) and County. It can be searched by name, townland, DED, county and limited by age ranges. It cannot yet be searched by birthplace, religion or occupation.
Irish Family Footsteps can assist in locating families within these records and in exploring the stories and backgrounds of the ancestors revealed.
What it includes. Part A...
Household returns (Form A) were completed by the head of each household and include
- Names
- Relationship to head of household
- Age
- Gender
- Whether married or orphaned
- Detailed information on birthplace
- Whether Irish was spoken or not
- Religion
- Occupation information including employer
- Information about length of marriage and number of children
- Acreage of farms where relevant.
What it includes. Part B....
Enumerators' Returns (Form B) for each townland/street includes a line for each building. It is not as detailed as the 1901 and 1911 House and Buildings returns but does tell us
- Whether a building is a private home or other type of building and whether it is occupied
- How many families live in each house
- The name of the head of each family
- Number of males and females
- Number of rooms occupied by each family
There are no outbuildings returns.
